ALMS, Robert J.

The Verde Independent, Cottonwood, Arizona Saturday, October 27, 2012 Robert J. Alms, 88, of Fountain Hills, Arizona (formerly Sun City) died Tuesday, October 9, 2012. He was born in Clare, Illinois on May 8, 1924 to Frank and Caroline (Waytenick) Alms. He graduated from DeKalb High School in 1943 and served in the Army during the Occupation of Japan in WW II. Robert was happily married to Gloria (Gruben) for 63 years. He was a farmer, a carpenter and later worked for DeKalb Ag as a construction manager. In 1981, Gloria and Robert retired and moved to Lake Montezuma, Arizona where they lived for 20 years and later moved to Sun City. Robert spent many hours serving his community. He served in Illinois as a volunteer fire fighter, DeKalb County police commissioner, Yavapai County building commissioner, and in his later years at the Olive Branch Senior Center in Sun City where he was recently honored for completing 6,000 community service hours. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW in Cottonwood, Arizona. Robert is survived by his wife, Gloria, and three daughters and son-in-laws, Linda (Larry) Hawbaker, Lou Ann (Chris) Denny, and Lori (Larry) Elliott; four grandsons, Bob Hawbaker, Erin Elliott (fiancé Audrey Cassel), Daniel Elliott, and Patrick Denny; sister Mary Mack and sister-in-laws Sandy Bullis and Jackie Marshall; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Frank, Jack, James and Leonard; brother-in-laws, Harley Mack, Bob Gruben, and Dick Marshall; and sister-in-laws Doris Marshall, Wilma Alms and Beverly Alms. The family thanks the caregivers at Fountain View Village for the loving care they provided for Robert. Funeral services were held Monday, October 15th at Church of the Ascension, Fountain Hills, AZ. Information provided by Messinger Mortuary. Information provided by survivors.